iPhone News Updated

Apple’s Siri Feature Doubles IPhone Data Usage

Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s voice recognition software Siri has prompted owners of the iPhone 4S to use almost twice as much data compared with the handset’s predecessor, placing greater pressure on operators, network firm Arieso said.

“Voice is the ultimate human interface,” Arieso Chief Technology Officer Michael Flanagan said in an interview in London. “As you lower the barriers,” consumers will use their smartphones’ functions even more often, he said. Arieso, based in Atlanta, advises clients such as Vodafone Group Plc (VOD), Telefonica SA (TEF) and Nokia Siemens Networks Oy on how to manage wireless networks.

Apple brought in Siri, dubbed a virtual personal assistant, in its latest iPhone update in October. With a few spoken words, the artificial-intelligence feature helps iPhone users schedule appointments, write text messages and check the local weather. Arieso said it measured more than 1 million subscribers across a single European network in both urban and rural areas, without identifying the operator.

The strain of data-intensive devices may place additional pressure on mobile operators as they build out faster networks. Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. carrier, said this week the number of iPhones it sold doubled to 4.2 million in the fourth quarter.

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iPhone 4S arrives in China next week

iPhone 4S will land in China and 21 other countries on January 13. So, will the iPhone 4S feature Siri work in Mandarin?

Siri, how do you say “profit” in Chinese? One answer Apple’s digital assistant might consider giving is: Start selling the iPhone 4S in China.

And on Jan. 13, Apple will do just that.

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